Our Mission

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that. "Martin Luther King, Jr.”

The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg is affiliated with the World Affairs Councils of America based in Washington, D.C. It is part of a national network of influential councils dedicated to educating and engaging the residents of our region in global issues. Our associates meet and interact with leading international writers, intellectuals, diplomats and political leaders, and we are dedicated to making these opportunities available to youth in our region, as well.

Speaker: Dr. Juliette Tolay, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the School of Public Affairs in Penn State Harrisburg

The European Union is under severe strain. British voters have chosen to leave the EU while the Eurozone debt crisis and the influx of migrants pose an existential threat to the political and economic bloc. Can the EU withstand the pressure?

Trade, Jobs and Politics -1 p.m. Monday – Feb. 20, 2017

International trade has transformed the way we live. Supporters of free trade say it creates the greatest amount of wealth for the highest number of people, fostering growth and lifting nations out of poverty. Opponents say free trade eliminates jobs at home and makes the country vulnerable.

China’s and the South China Sea – 1 p.m. Monday – March 6

Speaker:

Dr. David Lai, Research Professor of Asian Security Affairs at the Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) of the U.S. Army War College (USAWC), and expert on U.S.-China relations

Moderator: Dr. Mehdi Noorbaksh, Harrisburg University

China is building up its maritime presence, investing heavily in its Navy, and ambitiously advancing territorial claims in the South and East China seas. Does this maritime expansionism indicate a more aggressive foreign policy or is it simply the next logical step in China’s growth?

Saudi Arabia – 1 p.m. Monday – March 20

Speaker: Dr. David Commins, Professor, Dickinson College

Moderator: Dr. Mehdi Noorbaksh, Harrisburg University

Saudi Arabia is a nation in transition, with increasing signs that the status quo it has enjoyed for decades is beginning to fray. Once known for having a “special relationship” with the U.S., growing concerns about human rights, terrorism and the Iran nuclear deal suggest the relationship between Riyadh and Washington is coming under strains.

The Geopolitics of Oil -1 p.m. Monday – April 3

Speaker: Dr. Lane Schultz, founder and the Senior Vice President for Geosciences of Endless Mountain Energy

Moderator: Dr. Chris Dolan, Lebanon Valley College

After decades of relative stability, the U.S. energy revolution is beginning to shift the dynamics of the energy market. Once dependent on the Middle East for much of its energy, the U.S. is now producing more of its own—potentially freeing America to pursue a new foreign policy in the region.

Latin America -1 p.m. Monday -April 17

Speaker:

Dr. R. Evan Ellis, research professor of Latin American Studies at the Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College

Once known for economic and political turmoil, the majority of nations in Latin America are now constitutional democracies. Shifting away from the “revolutionary” leftist economic policies, Latin Americans are combining left-leaning social agendas with more pragmatic governance.

Prospects for Pakistan and Afghanistan – 1 p.m. Monday – May 1

Speaker:

Michael Kugelman is the Senior Associate for South Asia and Deputy Director, Asia Program, Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.

U.S. troops have been in Afghanistan for over 15 years—making it the longest war in American history. As Washington and NATO pivot away from Afghanistan by reducing troop numbers, the ability of the government and security forces to maintain stability will be tested.